Lexical Summary empaizó: To mock, to ridicule, to make fun of Original Word: ἐμπαίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mock. From en and paizo; to jeer at, i.e. Deride -- mock. see GREEK en see GREEK paizo HELPS Word-studies 1702 empaízō (from 1722 /en, "in" and 3815 /paízō, "play") – properly, to sport someone, mock (scoff). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and paizó Definition to mock at NASB Translation mock (2), mocked (5), mocking (4), ridicule (1), tricked (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1702: ἐμπαίζωἐμπαίζω (see ἐν, III. 3); imperfect ἐνέπαιζον; future ἐμπαιξω (Mark 10:34 for the more common ἐμπαιξοῦμαι and ἐμπαίξομαι); 1 aorist ἐνεπαιξα (for the older ἐνεπαισα); passive, 1 aorist ἐνεπαίχθην (Matthew 2:16, for the older ἐνεπαίσθην); 1 future ἐμπαιχθήσομαι; (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 240f; Krüger, § 40 under the word παίζω; (Veitch, ibid.); Buttmann, 64f (56f)); to play in, τίνι, Psalm 103:26 a. to mock: absolutely, Matthew 20:19; Matthew 27:41; Mark 10:34; Mark 15:31; Luke 23:11; τίνι (Herodotus 4, 134), Matthew 27:29 (31); Mark 15:20; Luke 14:29; Luke 22:63; Luke 23:36; in passive Luke 18:32. b. to delude, deceive, (Sophocles Ant. 799); in passive Matthew 2:16 (Jeremiah 10:15). The verb ἐμπαίζω portrays deliberate ridicule that wounds by treating the serious as trivial or contemptible. In biblical theology it functions as a barometer of hardness of heart: to mock what God esteems is to expose one’s estrangement from Him. Scripture therefore records mockery not merely as social rudeness but as moral rebellion. Mockery of the Messiah The Gospels concentrate the term around the Passion predictions and events: This sustained emphasis underscores two truths: (1) Jesus knowingly embraced a path that included public humiliation, and (2) the ridicule itself authenticated His identity as the Suffering Servant foretold in Psalms 22:7–8 and Isaiah 53:3. The mockers unwittingly proved the Scriptures true. Prophetic Fulfillment and Redemptive Irony Luke 18:32 announces in advance what Luke 23 records, proving that divine sovereignty governs even human scorn. The irony reaches its peak in the taunt, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself” (Mark 15:31), for by refusing to save Himself He was saving others. Mockery, intended to shame, becomes a stage for revelation. Mockery in Jesus’ Teaching In the parable of the unfinished tower Jesus warns, “All who see it will mock him” (Luke 14:29). Here ridicule is a social penalty for failed discipleship; disciples who do not carry the cross to the end invite the same derision that scoffers directed at Christ. The word thus links the cost of discipleship with the experience of the Master. Herodian Mockery and Political Power Matthew 2:16 records Herod’s fury when “he realized that he had been outwitted by the magi.” The king who wished to mockingly manipulate the situation finds himself mocked instead. Earthly power proves inadequate against God’s hidden plan, echoing Psalm 2:4, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” Patterns and Theological Observations 1. Concentration in Passion narratives shows ridicule as the climactic human response to divine holiness. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Expectation of Ridicule: Believers should not be surprised when fidelity invites scorn (Galatians 6:7–8 contextually parallels the sowing-and-reaping principle to mocking God). Ministry Significance Church history is replete with servants who endured derision for the gospel. Memorizing and preaching the texts containing ἐμπαίζω equip believers to interpret opposition biblically, fortify courage, and comfort the persecuted. Summary Strong’s Greek 1702 threads through the Gospel narrative as an instrument of prophetic fulfillment, a diagnostic of unbelief, and a call to persevering discipleship. By turning the world’s scorn into the theater of redemption, God invites every generation to behold the crucified One and choose worship over mockery. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:16 V-AIP-3SGRK: ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν NAS: saw that he had been tricked by the magi, KJV: that he was mocked of INT: having seen that he had been tricked by the Matthew 20:19 V-ANA Matthew 27:29 V-AIA-3P Matthew 27:31 V-AIA-3P Matthew 27:41 V-PPA-NMP Mark 10:34 V-FIA-3P Mark 15:20 V-AIA-3P Mark 15:31 V-PPA-NMP Luke 14:29 V-PNA Luke 18:32 V-FIP-3S Luke 22:63 V-IIA-3P Luke 23:11 V-APA-NMS Luke 23:36 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 1702 |
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